Hurricane Erick strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon as it churns in the Pacific Ocean near coastal southern

Hurricane Erick has formed in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to rapidly strengthen, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Erick is rapidly intensifying in the Eastern Pacific Ocean,and reached Category 3 status on Wednesday evening.A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3, 4 or 5 cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.